Folding table and bench



July 3; 1956 w. F. SMITHERS FOLDING TABLE AND BENCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Nov. 10, 1954 Wayne F Smi/hers INVENTOR.

July 3, 1956 w. F. SMITHERS FOLDING TABLE AND BENCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed NOV. 10, 1954 m R m m m 3 e N IHWI//,/JI////J; 2 m vn ww wv mm H1mm mv mv w .9 M W C C W Y ww lmll. wn I i mm x I I l mm mm Ill A|||l II!I.L L i :Fli R k 9] l.| vm mm s H v v3 Lv M t vm mm United StatesPatent FOLDING TABLE AND BENCH Wayne F. Smithers, Stony Ridge, OhioApplication November 10, 1954, Serial No. 467,984

1 Claim. (Cl. 155-124) This invention relates to the class of furniture,and more particularly to a novel folding table having foldable benchesassociated therewith.

The primary object of the present invention resides in the provision ofa light weight collapsible table provided with foldable seats which iseasy to store and which can be used inside or outside.

One of the particular features of the invention resides in the novelarrangement of parts wherein substantially U-shaped table leg membershave bench leg supports pivotally attached thereto for receiving seatshaving tubular sleeves depending therefrom. By pivoting the bench legsupports relative to the U-shaped table leg members, and then, pivotingthe table leg members into a collapsed position, the entire table withthe benches may be collapsed into a very small compass, therebypermitting convenient storage and transportation as may be desired.

Still further objects and features of this invention reside in theprovision of a folding table with associated bench supports that isstrong and durable, simple in construction, capable of being utilized inschools, industrial plants, public parks and the like, and which isrelatively inex ensivc to manufacture, thereby permitting widedistribution and utilization.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of theinvention which will become apparent as the following descriptionproceeds, are attained by this folding table with bench supports, apreferred embodiment of which has been illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, by way of example only, wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of the article of furniture comprisingthe present invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the folding table with bench supports shownin a collapsed position with parts of the benches being broken away fordetail;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of the table and benchesillustrating in particular the relative arrangement of parts and showingin phantom lines the bench supports in a collapsed position;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional detail View as taken along the plane ofline 4-4 in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the invention astaken along the plane of line 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional View as taken along the planeof line 6-6 in Figure 2 and illustrating the invention in a collapsedposition;

Figure 7 is a sectional detail view illustrating the connection betweenthe sleeve and bench support;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a modified form of bench support andseat;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a modified form of table top;

Figure 10 is a sectional detail view as taken along the plane of line10-10 in Figure 9;

Figure ll is a perspective view of a further modification of hinge tabletop; and

2 ice Figure 12 is a sectional detail view as taken along the plane ofline 12-12 in Figure 11.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings wherein likereference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views,reference numeral 10 generally designates the folding table withassociated benches comprising the present invention. This article offurniture includes a table top 12 having a pair of angle-shaped bars 14and 16 secured thereto by any suitable means. Pivotally attached bymeans of pins, such as are indicated by reference numeral 18, are a pairof substantially U-shaped table leg support members 20 and 22 which areadapted to be lockingly held in an open position by pivoted cornerbraces 24 of conventional construction, the pivoted corner braces beingterminally pivotally attached to the U-shaped table leg members 20 and22 and to suitable brackets 26 secured to the table top 12.

Pivotally attached to the U-shaped table leg member 20 by means of pins28 and 30 are a pair of bench leg supports 32 and 34, while pins 36 and38 are provided for pivotally mounting bench leg supports 40 and 42.Each of the bench leg supports is of generally similar configuration,and includes an inner and outer upwardly extending standard 44 and 46,respectively, interconnected by a brace 48 and further interconnected atthe lower portion thereof by a ground engaging member 50 through which apin, such as the pins 28, Si), 36 and 38 extend.

A pair of seats forming benches, indicated by reference numerals 54 and56, are provided each having opposed pairs of tubular sockets 53 and 60which are riveted, as at 62 or otherwise secured by any suitablefastener, to the seats 54 and 56, respectively, and which are adapted toreceive the upper ends of the standards 44 and 46 therein. The seats 54and 56 are thus held on the bench leg supports by means of gravity, andmay be readily removed when it is desired to collapse the article offurniture.

The combined table and benches can be readily collapsed by firstremoving the seats 54 and 56 from the standards 44 and 46 and thenpivoting the bench leg supports 32, 34, 40 and 42 relative to theU-shaped table leg members 20 and 22 and then pivoting the table legmembers 20 and 22 to the position as is shown in Figure 2 and in thedirection indicated by arrows in Figure 4. Then, the seats 54 and 56 canbe readily placed upon the collapsed bench leg supports and table legmembers, as is best shown in Figure 6.

A modified form of the invention is shown in Figure 8 in which seats 7thprovided with tubular sleeves forming sockets 72 are provided and arereceived over the ends of standards 74 and 76 which are upwardlyinwardly converging at the upper portions thereof and which are heldtogether by means of a brace 78.

Referring now to Figures 9 and 10, it: will be noted that herein thereis shown a form of the invention in which the table top 88 may be formedin hinged sections 99 and 92 so that the invention may be folded to evena smaller compass. By means of hinge elements 94 and 96, a pintle 98received in the knuckles of the hinge elements 94 and 96 can be utilizedto lock the hinge sections together. Further, suitable hinged braces, asindicated at and 102, may be provided. The pintle 98 may be rotated andengaged in clip 104.

The hinge braces 100 and 102 serve the functions of the angle members 14and 16.

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention as is shown in Figure11, it will be noted that herein the modified form of table top isformed in sections 112 and 114 which are hinged together by means ofhinges 116 and 118. A sliding latch 120 engageable in U-shaped members122 and 124 is provided for lockingly holding the. sections 112. and 114of the table top in an. extended position.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will bereadily understood and further explanation is believed to beunnecessary. However, since numerous. modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction shown and described, andaccordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may. be resortedto, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

A combined folding table and benches comprising a table top having apair of spaced angle-shaped bars depending therefrom, a pair of U-shapedtable leg members, said angle-shaped bars being of a length at leastequal to the sum of length of said U-shaped table leg members, saidU-shaped table leg members being pivotally mounted transversely on andbetween said angle- 0 shaped bars and fold therebetween, pairs of benchleg supports pivotally attached to said U-shaped table leg members, andseats detachably carried by said bench leg supports, said bench legsupports each including pairs of .upwardly extending standards, sleevesdepending from said seats, said sleeves being received on saidstandards, said pairs of standards being interconnected by groundengaging members extending between and beyond said pairs of standards,and pins extending through said ground engaging members to pivotallyattach said bench support members to said U-shaped table leg members,said ground engaging members being of less length than said table legmembers, said standards being of less than half the width of. saidU-shaped table leg members to permit folding of said opposed bench legsupports in the same plane between said table top and said U-shapedtable leg members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D.152,784 Higgins Feb. 22, 1949 1,457,582 Lewandoski June 5, 19232,075,778 Jahann'sen Mar. 30, 1937 2,399,960 Turner May 7, 19462,521,160 Green Sept. 5, 1950 2,562,629 Miles July 31, 1951 2,592,839Wessig Apr. 15, 1952

